Current Research

This 99-million-year-old amber piece with bird feathers is part of the NHMLA's growing collection of Cretaceous amber. Scientists are currently studying the plumage of avian and nonavian dinosaurs to understand the evolution of flight among other characteristics of birds. Specimens like the one shown here give us one more piece of evidence.

Module - Dinosaur Insitute Research

What are we preparing in the Dino Lab?

Stop by and witness the ongoing preparation of a new and magnificant ichthyosaur skull from the Middle Triassic Augusta Mountains of Nevada.Learn More

Module - Dinosaur Insitute Current Prep

Dinosaur Institute

View the Collections

The Dinosaur Institute houses a world-class collection of tetrapods (vertebrate animals with four limbs) from the Mesozoic Era. This collection includes fine fossil specimens of dinosaurs (including birds), pterosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, mammals, and extinct marine reptiles. Many of these specimens are prominently featured in the Museum's new Dinosaur Hall. In addition to skeletal specimens, the Institute also houses such rare fossil material as skin impressions and eggs. Among the Institute's unique treasures are a number of holotypes–specimens upon which a new species has been founded–as well as one of the few growth series of Tyrannosaurus rex, a series of fossils ranging from young juveniles through adults.

Below are some highlights of the collection from each of the periods of the Mesozoic Era (Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous).